Page 25 of Nails

Nails chuckled.“That was impressive.I think your stomach is telling you that it wants some food.”

Even though she was embarrassed, she realized that she hadn’t eaten since last night.

“I forgot breakfast,” she admitted, glancing at the time on her phone.It was almost eleven.

Carson raised a brow.“Guess that means it is time for lunch.”

Riley hesitated, then blurted out, “Do you want something to eat?”She hesitated for a moment, wondering if inviting him to stay for lunch would be too much.But did she really care?“I was going to make a cold cut.Would you like one?”

A slow, satisfied smile spread across his face.“I could eat.”

Holy shit!Why did she think that he meant that in a whole different context?But she played it cool.“Good, because I make a mean Italian cold cut.”

“Yeah?Guess that I’ll have to judge that for myself.”

“You’ll be begging me for my secret sauce that I add to it,” she teased as she got up and grabbed everything to make the sandwiches.

The whole time, her mind was buzzing with the strange warmth of having Nails in her space.She even stole a few glances at him while she made the food.

“All right,” she said, drizzling her secret dressing over the hoagies, “This is what makes it the best sandwich you’ve ever had.”

Nails smirked as he picked up his sandwich and took his first bite.He chewed slowly, as if he were trying to savor every bite.Then he let out a satisfied groan.

“Damn, Riley.I’m not gonna lie.That is good.”

She grinned.“Told ya.”

They sat at the island and ate mainly in silence.The atmosphere around them felt a little more charged.She caught herself laughing too easily, enjoying the way his eyes lingered on her just a second too long.

After they were finished, she went to reach for his plate, just as he did, and she ended up grabbing his hands, which she released quickly.

Then, suddenly, they both stood up at the same time and bumped into each other.

Riley gasped as her hands went to his chest.His arms instinctively went around her waist to steady her.

They locked eyes, and for a moment, neither of them moved.

She was suddenly very aware of how close they were.She could feel the heat of his body and smell the scent of his soap or whatever he used earlier.It had a hint of something woodsy.Her heart was pounding inside her chest.

Nails’ grip tightened ever so slightly.His gaze dipped to her lips, then back to her eyes.

He was going to kiss her.Her skin tingled in anticipation as he lifted a hand and brushed his fingers along her jaw.He tilted her chin just slightly up.

Riley’s pulse skyrocketed.She wanted this.God, she wanted to feel his lips on hers.

As he slowly leaned in, her eyes started to close.But then the obnoxious sound of her phone vibrating on the counter shattered the moment, making her flinch.

Nails let out a low, frustrated exhale.His hand lingered on her waist for a second before he stepped back.

Riley swallowed hard and cursed the timing before quickly moving to grab her phone off the counter.Her hands were shaking as she glanced at the screen.

Fuck!It was Russell.

She took a deep breath and exhaled before she answered.

“Hey, boss.”

“Hey, Riley.We just had something land on our desk.Can you get to the office in the next thirty minutes?”